Beanpot Spotlight: Fallstrom

BostonBruins.com -- Whenever Harvard forward Alex Fallstrom laces up the skates for practice with Head Coach Ted Donato, he gets the first hand experience of learning from a former professional hockey player, one who spent nine out of 13 seasons (1991-98, 2003-04) with the Boston Bruins.

Donato's keen eye for detail benefits the entire team, but his experience with the Black & Gold is particularly helpful to Fallstrom, who was traded to the B’s after being selected by the Minnesota Wild in the 2009 Entry Draft (116th).

"What's really cool about Coach Donato is that he has such an eye for detail and with playing at Harvard and the NHL, you really see the game so well," Fallstrom said. "It’s not only like system-wise and stuff, it’s minor details through the game that can make a huge difference which makes him a really good coach."

Fallstrom, a native of Goteborg, Sweden, has also had the benefit of attending two NHL team's summer development camps – one with the Wild after being drafted, and then two with the Bruins after being traded for Chuck Kobasew.

"The common thing that those camps taught me is you just have to work hard every day," Fallstrom said. “You have to be able to show up and work every day and just give it everything you got and if you do that you’ll get results."

In the days that followed the B's Stanley Cup victory, the "working hard every day" mentality was certainly reinforced at Boston Bruins Development Camp 2011 and was also one Fallstrom has used help him have what he considers his best season at Harvard.

As a junior, Fallstrom already has seven goals and six assists in 15 games. Although he's missed the last three games due to injury, he’s pleased thus far.

However, he was quick to credit Harvard linemates Marshall Everson and Alex Killorn with his success.

"I feel like I've grown a lot since last year and I feel more comfortable in my position," Fallstrom said. “I've been playing with two great players and I feel like we’ve had some really good chemistry and we’ve been able to work off each other and create some good offense."

As Harvard enters the second half of the season, Fallstrom said he is committed to helping his Crimson push for the playoffs and do well in February's Beanpot tournament.

But at the same time, he’s also focused on developing a consistency in his game that will help him play strong, night-in and night-out.

"I just want to keep getting better every day," Fallstrom said. "It's easy to come in one night and play a good game, but it’s a lot harder to come in and play well over a long period of time.

"I want to improve on my game and become a lot more consistent and show up every night and play at my best level to help my team both offensively and defensively as best as I can."